Synthetic polymers furnishing controlled release of a biologically active component during degradation

Abstract

Synthetic, substantially water-insoluble organic polymers having a backbone or main chain including repeating units of at least one polymer forming biologically active component such as a pesticide are capable of slowly degrading in the medium where their activity is desired to slowly release the free biologically active component and thereby prolong the period of effectiveness of the biologically active component.

We claim: 
     
       1. A controlled release pesticide polymer made up of a polymer-forming pesticide component having di-functional reactive groups selected from the group consisting of -NH 2 , -COOH and -OH, the polymer-forming pesticide component homopolymerized to form a polymer with a polymeric backbone having hydrophyllic linkages and a degree of polymerization such that when the pesticide polymer is placed in the medium where its activity is desired, the pesticide component is slowly released as a monomer over an extended period of time into the medium by random scission of the hydrophyllic linkages in the backbone of the pesticide polymer in an amount effective to control the pest. 
     
     
       2. The polymer of claim 1 wherein the polymer is poly (4-amino-3,5,6-trichloropicolinamide).